Chapter 137
Chapter 139
Like had been born and raised in Vermont, lie resented the new monarchi.
In his eyes, the rightful successor to the throne was Jericho Kane
no one else deserved that honor after the old king’s downfall.
But when the old king lost and fled into hiding in Vermont, Jerich Kane’s hunger for power was ignited.
Lake’s dislike for the current ruler only grew into seething content.
Standing tall beneath the trees, Lake scowled at Kelly, Jetting hering to him in desperation.
His tone cut through the still air. “You Kingston people-follower of that new king- nothing but maggots and bitches p>
The venom in his words reflected the unwavering pride in his eyes
He leaned closer, his voice dripping with arrogance. “I’ll show you how a man
from Vermont pleases a maggot and a bitch like you. We are the superior men.’ Kelly pressed herself against him, her breathing quick and shallow
A sultry whisper escaped her lips. “Really p>
Before Luke could process her intent, a glint of silver flashed in Kelly’s hand.
13
In one swift, practiced motion, she drove a short knife into the back of his neck. For an instant, time hung suspended. Luke’s eyes v went wide with disbelief. He stumbled, pushing Kelly away.
She was flung across the clearing, her body colliding with a tree nearly five meters off.
Then Luke dropped to his knees. Strength deserted him as his mind whirled, trying to understand how everything could shift so
suddenly.
His vision blurred, and he collapsed facedown, each breath shallower than the last.
Kelly trembled, a wave of heat raging from deep within.
She glared at Luke’s unmoving form, her voice trembling with quiet fury.
“You bastard,” she spat. “Killed by the maggot you despised… you’re even lower than that p>
Her whole body burned by the poison.
She clutched her head, tortured by a fierce and consuming heat that made movement impossible.
In the midst of that agony, a final wish escaped her shaking lips.
“If only… I could see Alex one last time p>
Her eyes fluttered closed, her body succumbing to the searing drug coursing through her veins.
Just when she thought it would swallow her whole, a cool rush of relief began spreading through her hands, up her arms, and into her head.
She opened her eyes to see Alex kneeling over her, his expression etched with desperation.
“You were drugged,” he said softly, urgency lacing each word.
“I’m using my energy to expel it, but it’ll take time.” His face darkened.
“I’ve encountered this drug before-like what happened to Sophia But now, I can fix it p>
1/4
25 BONUS
Kelly Ups parted, her voice trembling. “I know this drug”
Don’t talk Alex ordered firmly, “Save your strength p>
“I don’t need you to save mel” she hissed, a flicker of defiance shining in her eyes even as her body betrayed her.
“What?” Alex’s voice rose in alarm, confusion mingling with fear ‘Are you out of your mind p>
“No.” Kelly’s voice was raw but steady. “If you save me, then you won’t owe me anything. I saved your life once, and if you return the favor, we’ll be even. After that… you’ll forget me p>
She tried pulling her hand from his grasp, but her strength was gone.
“Let me go, Alex. I want you to still owe me,” she breathed. “Thats the only way you’ll keep thinking about me p>
“Don’t be stubborn!” he snapped, tightening his hold. “You’ll die p>
“Then you’ll remember me forever,” Kelly murmured, letting out shaky, bitter laugh.
Her limbs trembled, her life slipping away moment by moment.
Alex’s expression twisted with anguish. “I’m going to save you, Kelly. No matter what happens afterward, it doesn’t erase what I owe you p>
“No!” she cried, desperation warring with her pain.
He stared at her, torn between anger and heartbreak. “Then what do you want from me? Tell me p>
Her tears fell as she looked up at him, letting the words cut through the space between them. “Make love to me p>
Alex froze. For a heartbeat, he simply looked at her, the world spinning in slow motion.
“If you think you owe me because I saved you once,” Kelly pleaded, tears tracking down her face, “then make love with me p>
Even as he continued to channel his energy into her, Alex’s voice broke. “Kelly, listen to yourself. You’re not thinking clearly p>
She shook her head, tears glistening.
“I’m not like Jasmine, a princess with everything, or Sophia, beautiful and successful. I’m just me. Plain. I only have these two hands to make it in this world. I’ve never felt pretty. You never really looked my way.” Her voice cracked.
“But my heart has loved you so fiercely… it hurts. It never quits, no matter what I tell myself. It’s killing me, Alex p>
“Kelly he breathed, as if her confession physically struck him.
“I loved you against reason, against promise, against peace, against hope, against happiness, against all discouragement that could be p>
“Kelly p>
“Alex, you are my temple, my priest, my prayer, my release. In my sacrifice and loving you, I saw my salvation p>
“Don’t pity me,” she said, trembling but resolute. “I’m strong in my own right. I don’t need anyone’s pity. Not if you can’t truly love me p>
His gaze softened, weighed down by guilt and sorrow. “Kelly p>
She inhaled raggedly, forcing the words past her fips. “I saved you once. Now you
make love to me, and we’ll call it even. You owe me that much p>
Alex’s voice grew thick with emotion. “That’s not fair to you p>
“Then let me go,” she whispered, tears gathering at the corners of her eyes. “Let me die if you won’t p>
2/4
Chapter 139
He exhaled, leaning in to cradle her cheek with his palm. The wanth in his touch contrasted sharply with the dread in his eyes. “Kelly, listen p>
She stared back, mesmerized by the tenderness in his gaze.
He finally saw her truly saw her.
Not just a hardworking woman, but a soul whose love for him was as deep and
unyielding as any grand romance.
Her beauty was no less dazzling than Sophia’s or Jasmine’s.
“I can’t promise you forever,” Alex said quietly, brushing away a tear on her cheek.
“I still need time to figure out everything I’m feeling. But I can promise you three
days-three days in which I’ll love you with my entire being p>
“Three days?” Kelly echoed, disbelief quivering in her voice.
He nodded, résolute. “Three days. You’ll be my whole world. Let me learn how to
give you all I have p>
She stared at him for a long moment, lips trembling, then gave a small nod.
Without hesitating, Alex gathered her up in his arms. “I’m taking you to my private island,” he whispered, his breath warm against her car.
Their journey across the ocean felt both endless and instantaneous, the wind roaring around them.
At last, the turquoise waters gave way to an isolated island ringed by lush
greenery.
In its heart stood a modern villa, sleek and cutting-edge, yet in harmony with the wild beauty surrounding it.
The house recognized Alex as they approached, lights glowing to life and the
doors sliding open.
Kelly’s heart hammered as he carried her inside.
The villa was breathtaking-vast windows opened to rolling jungle vistas on one
side and an expanse of glittering sea on the other.
In a spacious bedroom, Alex laid her gently on a wide, luxurious bed.
“I want… to bathe,” Kelly murmured, her mind still swimming from the drug’s lingering effects.
His voice dropped low, sending a tremor through her. “We’ll take one together p>
She flushed. “Alex p>
“Not another word,” he said, his voice soft but charged with a quiet authority. “For these three days, you belong to me, and I belong to you p>
Her protests melted away the moment his lips found hers, a kiss so warm and tender it sent tremors through her very soul.
Suddenly, the rest of the world receded—her pain, her doubts, her fears all vanished in that single, electric moment.
She closed her eyes, her fingertips drifting over the broad lines of his shoulders.
This was the dream she had chased for so many sleepless nights, the reality she’d yearned for with every beat of her heart.
At last, it was here, and every second felt like a jewel she held close.
She remembered a truth she’d once heard: “Love is short, forgetting is long and
painful p>
In spite of it, her lips curved into a gentle smile an acceptance of the fragile joy she finally held in her hands.
3/4
Chapter 139
“Let us not speak of forever,” she murmured, her words quiet yet brimming with
emotion.
Let us not speak at all. Let us simply exist as though the universe were ours
alone p>